Manassas

March 17 Sunday

QOC invites you to the historic Stuart's Hill section of Manassas National Battlefield Park once again! Stuart's Hill terrain is more open, with large fields rare for our venues but also with woods of all degrees of runnability. Course details (White through Blue) are now posted below, along with course setter notes - note especially the water-related comments.

Youth groups or other large groups planning to attend this event: Please contact Event Director James Chaplin directly so that we can coordinate pre-registration for your group; the group registration and waiver form is part of the information on our Group Leaders page.

Nearby Attraction: The park's Henry Hill Visitor Center, located at 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA, will be open from 8:30am - 5pm, and your park fee (for orienteering) covers admission. This museum has both static and dynamic displays, plus a 45 minute movie ('Manassas: End of Innocence') focusing on the Civil War battles that took place here, including over the terrain covered by our orienteering courses.

Directions: Take I-66 to Exit 47 in Manassas. Go South on Sudley Road (route 234). After a short distance, turn right onto Balls Ford Road (route 621). Proceed ~2 miles, then turn right onto Groveton Road (route 622). Go North ~1 mile to the picnic area entrance on the left. Google map link is below (in Location Details).

Please note the following about this park:

A $3 per person (over 15 years old) park entrance fee should be deposited in the park collection boxes located quite close to our registration area.

Climbing on cannons and monuments is not allowed.

Pets must be kept on a leash.

Hunting for relics is strictly forbidden.

Post-Race MeetUp! We'll have some $5 gift cards to give away for those heading to the nearby Five Guys right after our meet. Course setter Trish Strat recommends the Manassas location for this burger & fries specialty chain since it's roomy and has plenty of free peanuts. It's located in the shopping/cinema area just northwest of the I-66 exit at Sudley Rd; driving directions from our event are here.

Take I-66 to Exit 47 in Manassas. Go South on Sudley Road (route 234). After a short distance, turn right onto Balls Ford Road (route 621). Proceed ~2 miles, then turn right onto Groveton Road (route 622). Go North ~1 mile to the picnic area entrance on the left.

Course Details

Classic Orienteering

Course Name

Length (km)

Climb (m)

No. Controls

White

1.6

50

8

Yellow

2.4

60

12

Orange

4.1

120

13

Brown

4

100

11

Green

5.3

120

15

Red

7.3

160

15

Blue

9.3

210

19

Course Notes

Classic Orienteering

The map was partially updated in preparation for this event. Please take particular note of the various types of vegetation, as they have a large affect on runnability. All courses will cross areas of wet, marshy ground. Plan on getting your feet wet.

Fields: The park has numerous large fields. Those that have been mowed recently are mapped as Open (bright yellow). Unmowed fields are mapped as Rough Open (pale yellow). The grass in the unmowed fields can grow as high as 6 feet, which will significantly slow you down. Unfortunately, you won’t know how high the grass is until you get there. If it is very tall, keep in mind that it might be faster to run in the woods, along the edge of the field.

Deadfall: Another significant feature of this park is vast areas of fallen trees. These are mapped as Undergrowth (vertical green stripes). These areas will slow you down a lot, and are best avoided. In some cases, the deadfall is virtually impassable – these areas are mapped as Dense Undergrowth (closely spaced vertical green stripes).

River: There is one major river flowing roughly west to east through the map. It can be four feet deep in places and may be difficult to cross depending on how much rain we receive in the days before the event.

White and Yellow: does not cross the river.
Orange: crosses at control 12. Look for the small island in the river -- you can jump to the island, then across to the other side.
Brown and Green: Control #1 is at a spot where you can cross.
Red and Blue: You will cross the river several times -- you are on your own to find a suitable crossing spot.

Entry Fees

Individual Entries

Non-Member: $10/adult, $6/junior (under 21 years old)

Member: $6/adult, $4/junior (under 21 years old)

Team or Group Entries

Participants are welcome to compete together as a single team entry. Teams containing one or more nonmembers are charged the nonmember individual rate. Teams containing one or more adults are charged the adult individual rate. For teams to receive member or junior rates, all members of the team must be members or juniors, respectively. Each extra team map beyond the first is an additional $2. Individuals or teams desiring to compete on a second course can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map.

Important Notes

At the event, we can only accept payment in cash or check; online, you may use a credit card or PayPal account.

Most of our events use electronic timing. We will provide you with an electronic timing chip (aka e-stick, finger dibber, or SI-card) for free if you don't own one. Loaned e-sticks that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee.

Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.